All Research Institutes in Crimson Desert

There are six Research Institutes in Crimson Desert, spread across three regions of Pywel. Research is the only way to break past your Health, Stamina, and Spirit stat caps. It also unlocks ATAG mech weapon blueprints, crafting dispatch missions, map markers for rare ore deposits, alchemy formulas, and infinite ammo replenishment. Each institute requires a one-time item delivery to the lead researcher before its project tree opens. This guide covers every institute location, how to unlock it, the lead researcher, entry item, and all key rewards.

TL;DR

• There are six Research Institutes: Pororin and Scholastone (Hernand), Urdavah (Crimson Desert region), and Gorthak Ironworks, Delesyia Castle, and Dewhaven Keep (Delesyia).
• Research is the only way to raise your Health, Stamina, and Spirit caps past their default limits.
• Every institute requires a one-time item gift to the lead researcher to unlock the project tree.
• Projects unlock in column order — later rows require the project directly above them to be completed first.
• Research timers run in the background. Advance in-game time at a bed or cooking pot to skip long waits.
• Top three priorities: Abyssal Energy Research at Scholastone (Health cap), Red Seaweed Research at Urdavah (Stamina cap), Mysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng at Pororin (Spirit cap).
• Best value early project: Getting Closer to Nature at Pororin — costs just 1.10 Silver and unlocks infinite arrow replenishment.
• Note: Pailune shows a Research Institute on the map but it is currently not available — possibly cut content or a future update.

How Research Institutes Work

Research Institutes are special NPCs found in key settlements across Pywel. You invest Silver into individual projects, each of which runs for a set number of in-game hours. When a project completes, you return to the researcher to collect the reward.

Projects are arranged in a tiered grid. Projects in the same row are independent of each other, but any project in a later row requires the one directly above it in its column to be completed first. Some projects also require knowledge quests — short tasks like talking to a research assistant, observing nearby machinery, or gathering a nearby item — before the next tier unlocks.

Research rewards are permanent. Once a project completes, the benefit stays with you for the rest of your playthrough. Dispatch missions unlocked through research continue to run indefinitely. To maximise dispatch rewards from every mission, get Golden Beer first — see our Golden Beer guide for how to unlock it in Demeniss.

Research Institute 1 — Pororin Forest (Hernand)

Lead researcher: Lumiel

Location: Southeast Hernand, accessed through Petalton Workshop.

How to unlock: Complete The Unreachable Village faction quest (also called Trembling Woods). Enter Pororin Forest three times — each time the Shai children knock you out with sleep darts. After the third attempt, a Shai named Arkin appears and gives you the quest to retrieve the Pororin Relic from an Ent in Trembling Gorge. Return the relic to unlock permanent village access. Bring Lumiel 5x Lavender to open the project tree.

Key rewards from this institute:

• Getting Closer to Nature (Row 1A) — 1.10 Silver, ~6 hours — unlocks Sustained Supply Arrows (infinite arrow replenishment). The single best value research project in the entire game for bow users.
• Mysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng (Row 1B) — 130 Silver, 22 hours — raises your Spirit cap past its default threshold. Essential for late-game builds.
• Palmar Leaf Research (Row 1C) — 9 Silver, 6 hours — reveals Palmar Leaf gathering locations on your map. Unlocks the Reachwood Ruins Dispatch Plan research. Note: this project pauses at 50% and requires you to hand a Palmar Leaf to the Research Assistant to resume it. See our Palmar Leaf Research Halted guide for the fix.
• Plant Combination Research (Row 2B) — 120 Silver, 18 hours — unlocks Alchemy Formulas for Freya’s Elixir, Meliara’s Elixir, and Haiden’s Elixir.
• Efficient Gathering Research (Row 3A) — 70 Silver, 20 hours — adds a chance to collect bonus plants while gathering.
• Reachwood Ruins Dispatch Plan (Row 3B) — 80 Silver, 14 hours — unlocks the Reachwood Ruins Exploration Dispatch Mission (Palmar Leaf + Abyss Gear Blueprints). Requires Natural Harmony Research and Palmar Leaf Research to be completed first.
• Secret Tools of Life (Row 2C) — 500 Silver, 1 day 4 hours — unlocks dispatch missions to craft the Magic Scythe and Pororin Fishing Rod. Most expensive project in the Hernand region — save it for when Silver is plentiful.

For the full Pororin Village access walkthrough, see our Unreachable Village quest guide.

Research Institute 2 — Scholastone (Hernand)

Lead researcher: Grunvar

Location: Inside the Scholastone Institute building. You visit Scholastone as part of the main campaign — the institute is encountered naturally during story progression.

How to unlock: Complete the main objective inside the institute during the story, then Grunvar will offer his Research Request. Bring him 1x Honey Tea (craft at a cauldron using Honey + Water) to open the project tree.

Key rewards from this institute:

• Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint (Row 1A) — 12 Silver, 8 hours — lets you craft Faded Abyss Artifacts (respec items) at any Witch’s cauldron. One of the most valuable early research investments — gives you a reliable way to reset your skill tree without hunting for artifacts.
• Abyssal Energy Research (Row 1B) — 130 Silver, 20 hours — raises your Health cap from level 11 to level 18. The single most impactful research project in the game. Higher Health makes a dramatic difference in boss fights throughout the mid and late game. Do this as early as possible.
• Cloudcruiser Blueprint (Row 2A) — 9 Silver, 6 hours — unlocks the Cloudcruiser flying vehicle dispatch. See our Cloudcart guide for related content.
• Skystreaker Blueprint — unlocks the Skystreaker for dispatch missions.
• ATAG Thrusterpack Mk. II and Mk. III — unlocks via research in this tree. Also unlocks the Skystep ability for Damiane’s shields.
• Skyroot Research — analyzes Skyroot growth conditions. See our how to get Skyroot guide.

Research Institute 3 — Urdavah (Crimson Desert Region)

Lead researcher: Valtus

Location: North district of the Crimson Desert region. Valtus may be locked until Chapter 9. If you cannot speak with him, examine the golden statue in the room opposite to Valtus first to trigger access.

How to unlock: Bring Valtus 3x Bloodstone to open the project tree. For how to get Bloodstone, see our Urdavah Research guide.

Key rewards from this institute:

• Red Seaweed Research (Row 1B) — 20 Silver, ~hours — raises your Stamina cap past its default threshold. Note: this project pauses mid-run. When it does, gather 1x Red Seaweed from south of Dewhaven in the Delesyia region, then return to resume. Do not be alarmed — the stop is expected.
• Bioenergy Amplification Research (Row 1A) — makes cooked food buffs more powerful. Stacks well with the cooking and healing system.
• Gold Vein Research (Row 3) — 130 Silver — reveals Gold Ore cave locations on the map. Expensive but speeds up Silver farming significantly in the late game. See our guide on how to get Gold Ore and how to get Gold Bars.
• Wind Energy Fusion Device — dispatches for advanced utility items in the Crimson Desert region.
• Mercury Research — reveals Mercury deposit locations. See our how to get Mercury guide.

Research Institute 4 — Gorthak Ironworks (Delesyia)

Lead researcher: Stonefell

Location: Zargan Tankworks in the northwest of Delesyia, near the Demeniss border — just left of the “G” in “Gorthak” on the map.

How to unlock: Liberate Gorthak from mechanical enemies as part of Chapter 10 of the main story. Once liberated, speak with Stonefell and bring him 5x Gunpowder (craft it or buy from Delesyia vendors). Note: the research structure is located at a distance from Stonefell himself on the map — do not confuse the two markers.

Key rewards from this institute:

• Basic Smelting (Row 1A) — unlocks the Flame Spear Blueprint and Sustained Supply Cannon Shell.
• Skilled Workflow Optimization (Row 1A) — 11 Silver, 9 hours — reduces material waste during crafting. Strong passive benefit for heavy crafters.
• Taro Research (Row 1B) — 90 Silver, 18 hours — unlocks large-scale mission dispatches.
• Weapon Heat-Treatment Research (Row 2A) — unlocks dispatch missions to craft the Flamespitter.
• Machine Parts Research (Row 2B) — 130 Silver — unlocks dispatch missions for ATAG Cannon, Laser, and Pincers, plus Vertical Flight for Oongka’s rocket pack.
• Brimstone Research — reveals Brimstone locations. See our how to get Brimstone guide.
• Mineral Excavation Efficiency Research — increases mining yields.

Research Institute 5 — Delesyia Castle (Delesyia)

Lead researcher: Grandige

Location: Inside Delesyia Castle in the central Delesyia region.

How to unlock: Complete a quest for Grandige to unlock his shop and research tree. The castle area is hostile early in the game — approach when the story has progressed and enemies are no longer attacking on sight.

Key rewards from this institute:

• Mechanical Anatomy Research (Row 1A) — increases component drops from mechanical enemies. Excellent early investment — more parts means faster ATAG crafting from dispatch missions. Especially useful while you are farming Electrical Components and Small Batteries in Delesyia.
• Prickly Pear Research — unlocks the Laser Cannon Spear dispatch — one of the stronger late-game spear weapons.
• Environment Adaptability Weapon System Research — unlocks advanced spear dispatch missions.
• High-Mobility Power Device Research (Row 2B) — 120 Silver, 21 hours — unlocks dispatch missions to craft ATAG Boots Mk. II and Mk. III (enhanced movement and dodge capabilities for the mech suit).
• Mercury Research — reveals Mercury deposit locations on the map.
• Future Protective Material Study (Row 3B) — 100 Silver, 18 hours — unlocks Plate Armors of the World Vol. IV Blueprint.

Research Institute 6 — Dewhaven Keep (Delesyia)

Lead researcher: Heinrik

Location: Dewhaven Keep in the southwest of Delesyia.

How to unlock: Enemies in Dewhaven are hostile on sight to players wearing a Mask — remove your Mask before approaching. Bring Heinrik 1x Diamond to open the project tree. See our how to get Diamonds guide for sourcing the entry item.

Key rewards from this institute:

• Electricity Movement Conversion Mechanism Research (Row 1A) — prerequisite for the Chaya Research chain and Robot Comrade crafting.
• Chaya Research (Row 2A) — unlocks dispatch missions to craft Grey-0 Mecha Workers (Robot Comrades). See our how to craft Robot Comrades guide.
• Electric Tool Design Research (Row 2A) — 13 Silver, 9 hours — unlocks dispatch missions for the Lightning Spear, Electromagnetic Boltspitter, and Quarry Drill. Also increases the quantity of Sustained Supply Bullets. See our Kuku Lightning Spear guide.
• Power Joints System Research (Row 2B) — 130 Silver — unlocks dispatch missions for ATAG Fist, ATAG Machine Gun, ATAG Flamespitter, and ATAG Welder in a single project. The most extensive ATAG combat equipment unlock in the game.
• Lightning Saw / Machine Workers Research — unlocks Lightning Saw dispatch and increases Timber gathered while logging.
• Razor Clam Research — unlocks the Razor Clam weapon line.
• Alloy Weapon Conductivity Research (Row 3) — unlocks Weapons of the World Vol. IV Blueprint.

Which Research to Prioritize

With Silver costs ranging from 1.10 to 500 per project, prioritising correctly saves a lot of grinding time. Here is the recommended order:

• First: Getting Closer to Nature at Pororin (1.10 Silver) — infinite arrows essentially for free. Do this the moment you unlock Pororin.
• Second: Abyssal Energy Research at Scholastone (130 Silver) — Health cap to level 18. The highest-impact project in the entire research system.
• Third: Red Seaweed Research at Urdavah (20 Silver) — Stamina cap break. Cheap for what it does.
• Fourth: Mysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng at Pororin (130 Silver) — Spirit cap break.
• Fifth: Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint at Scholastone (12 Silver) — reliable respec access.
• After that: Taro Research at Gorthak (90 Silver) for large-scale dispatch missions, then the ATAG weapon trees across all three Delesyia institutes as you progress through Chapters 10 and 11.

Do not skip the cheap Row 1 projects — several cost under 15 Silver and complete in 6 to 9 hours. They are prerequisites for the high-value Row 2 and Row 3 rewards, and skipping them just delays access to the best projects. To speed up research timers, advance in-game time at a bed or cooking pot rather than waiting in real time.

For Abyss Gear Blueprints unlocked through Dispatch Missions (separate from research rewards), see our complete all Abyss Gear Blueprints guide.

Quick Reference — All Six Research Institutes

• Pororin Forest (SE Hernand, Petalton Workshop) — Researcher: Lumiel — Entry: 5x Lavender — Unlock: Unreachable Village faction quest — Best reward: Infinite arrows (1.10 Silver), Spirit cap break (130 Silver)
• Scholastone (Hernand, main story) — Researcher: Grunvar — Entry: 1x Honey Tea — Unlock: Complete main story objective at institute — Best reward: Health cap to Level 18 (130 Silver), Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint (12 Silver)
• Urdavah (North Crimson Desert region) — Researcher: Valtus — Entry: 3x Bloodstone — Unlock: Chapter 9+ (examine golden statue if locked) — Best reward: Stamina cap break (20 Silver), Gold Ore cave map markers (130 Silver)
• Gorthak Ironworks (NW Delesyia, Zargan Tankworks) — Researcher: Stonefell — Entry: 5x Gunpowder — Unlock: Liberate in Chapter 10 — Best reward: ATAG Cannon/Laser/Pincers, large-scale dispatches
• Delesyia Castle (Central Delesyia) — Researcher: Grandige — Entry: Complete Grandige’s quest — Unlock: Story progression, Chapter 11+ — Best reward: ATAG Boots Mk. II and III, Laser Cannon Spear, Mechanical Anatomy (more mech part drops)
• Dewhaven Keep (SW Delesyia) — Researcher: Heinrik — Entry: 1x Diamond — Unlock: Story progression, remove Mask before entering — Best reward: ATAG Fist/Machine Gun/Flamespitter/Welder, Robot Comrades, Lightning Spear dispatch

For more progression guides, visit our Crimson Desert guide hub. Related guides: how to research in Crimson Desert, how to make money fast (for Silver farming to fund projects), how to get max Health, how to get max Stamina, and how to get max Spirit.

Crimson Desert is available on PC via the official site, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, and Xbox.